History
History
of the relationship between Alabama & Germany
1873-------
Cullman, AL
“After traveling around the country and arriving in North Alabama, the impression was made upon my mind that if this country was filled up with good farmers it would be the garden spot of America. I found here all that I had been looking for, all that I regarded as necessary to make good homes: there was here combined these things to an extent not equaled by any other place I had seen.” – Colonel John G. Cullmann, 1877
1943--------
German POWs in Alabama
In 1943, the campaign in North Africa ended, and the Allied forces were left with 275,000 German and Italian prisoners of war (POWs). The US military decided to build camps around the United States to house the POWs, and during 1942 to 1943 two camps were constructed in Alabama: Camp Aliceville and Camp Opelika. Later, Fort McClellan and Fort Rucker each established one camp. An estimated 16,000 German POWs were held across Alabama’s 24 camps.
1974--------
Evonik Industries
Evonik Industries, formerly know as Degussa, started construction of a large new chemical works in the Gulf of Mexico, in Mobile, Alabama. Along with it, it founded the U.S. subsidiary Degussa Alabama Inc. Evonik Industries AG is an industrial corporation headquartered in Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, the largest specialty chemicals company in the world.
1993--------
Mercedes-Benz announces move to Alabama
In the 1990s, Mercedes-Benz was looking to open its first manufacturing plant in the United States. Initially considering hundreds of locations for their plant, Mercedes eventually narrowed their choice to three candidates: Alabama, North Carolina, and South Carolina. On September 30, 1993 Mercedes stated that it had officially chosen to place its new plant in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.
--------1891
St. Bernard Abbey
The history of Saint Bernard Abbey is a rich one. In the 1840s monks from Metten Abbey in Germany, a monastery founded c. 700 A.D., came to America to plant the Benedictine monastic life in the United States and to minister to the growing German-speaking immigrant population. St. Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, became the first foundation, and in the 1870s monks from St. Vincent were sent to Alabama to serve the needs of German Catholics here. In 1891 those monks gathered to establish St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman, Alabama. One year later, 1892, a school was opened at the new abbey.
--------1950s - 1960s
Wernher von Braun
Wernher von Braun was a rocket scientist from Wirsitz, Germany who began his work for the US government after he and his team of fellow engineers surrendered to US forces on May 2, 1945. Over the following years he helped the US government in its development of rockets and ballistic missiles as well as trained American rocket scientists.
--------1987
Diehl Aerospace
Diehl Aerospace in Sterrett, Alabama, was initially set up as a repair center for avionic products. Today it is the exclusive Diehl Aviation Customer Service Center for Airlines and Aircraft Manufacturers for Avionic Equipment (e.g. Flight Control Computers, Electronics and Sensors), Cabin Interior Equipment (e.g. Lavatories, Galleys, Storage and Overhead Bins and Interior Lighting) responsible for North- Central- and South America.
--------1997
Mercedes-Benz production starts in Vance, Alabama
On February 14, 1997, the Vance plant in Tuscaloosa county manufactured its first Mercedes-Benz, a M-Class SUV
--------1998
AGP Founded
The AlabamaGermany Partnership (AGP) is a state-wide, non-profit organization, dedicated to the development of the business, cultural, educational and social relationships among individuals and organizations with ties to both Alabama and Germany. The organization was formed in 1998 and is membership driven.
-------1873
Cullman, AL
“After traveling around the country and arriving in North Alabama, the impression was made upon my mind that if this country was filled up with good farmers it would be the garden spot of America. I found here all that I had been looking for, all that I regarded as necessary to make good homes: there was here combined these things to an extent not equaled by any other place I had seen.” – Colonel John G. Cullmann, 1877
--------1891
St. Bernard Abbey
The history of Saint Bernard Abbey is a rich one. In the 1840s monks from Metten Abbey in Germany, a monastery founded c. 700 A.D., came to America to plant the Benedictine monastic life in the United States and to minister to the growing German-speaking immigrant population. St. Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, became the first foundation, and in the 1870s monks from St. Vincent were sent to Alabama to serve the needs of German Catholics here. In 1891 those monks gathered to establish St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman, Alabama. One year later, 1892, a school was opened at the new abbey.
--------1943
German POWs in Alabama
In 1943, the campaign in North Africa ended, and the Allied forces were left with 275,000 German and Italian prisoners of war (POWs). The US military decided to build camps around the United States to house the POWs, and during 1942 to 1943 two camps were constructed in Alabama: Camp Aliceville and Camp Opelika. Later, Fort McClellan and Fort Rucker each established one camp. An estimated 16,000 German POWs were held across Alabama’s 24 camps.
--------1950s - 1960s
Wernher von Braun
Wernher von Braun was a rocket scientist from Wirsitz, Germany who began his work for the US government after he and his team of fellow engineers surrendered to US forces on May 2, 1945. Over the following years he helped the US government in its development of rockets and ballistic missiles as well as trained American rocket scientists.
--------1974
Evonik Industries
Evonik Industries, formerly know as Degussa, started construction of a large new chemical works in the Gulf of Mexico, in Mobile, Alabama. Along with it, it founded the U.S. subsidiary Degussa Alabama Inc. Evonik Industries AG is an industrial corporation headquartered in Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, the largest specialty chemicals company in the world.
--------1987
Diehl Aerospace
Diehl Aerospace in Sterrett, Alabama, was initially set up as a repair center for avionic products. Today it is the exclusive Diehl Aviation Customer Service Center for Airlines and Aircraft Manufacturers for Avionic Equipment (e.g. Flight Control Computers, Electronics and Sensors), Cabin Interior Equipment (e.g. Lavatories, Galleys, Storage and Overhead Bins and Interior Lighting) responsible for North- Central- and South America.
--------1993
Mercedes-Benz announces move to Alabama
In the 1990s, Mercedes-Benz was looking to open its first manufacturing plant in the United States. Initially considering hundreds of locations for their plant, Mercedes eventually narrowed their choice to three candidates: Alabama, North Carolina, and South Carolina. On September 30, 1993 Mercedes stated that it had officially chosen to place its new plant in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.
--------1997
Mercedes-Benz production starts in Vance, Alabama
On February 14, 1997, the Vance plant in Tuscaloosa county manufactured its first Mercedes-Benz, a M-Class SUV
--------1998
AGP Founded
The AlabamaGermany Partnership (AGP) is a state-wide, non-profit organization, dedicated to the development of the business, cultural, educational and social relationships among individuals and organizations with ties to both Alabama and Germany. The organization was formed in 1998 and is membership driven.
